The bill, nicknamed the "Silver Alert bill," passed the House on third reading by a unanimous vote of 98-0. More than any other group, this bill will help senior citizens with Alzheimer 's disease or some form of dementia who may wander away from their homes and families. Silver Alerts would be issued by police, voluntarily broadcast by TV and radio stations and posted on Web sites when an adult is believed to be in danger. "The need for a Silver Alert system is becoming more and more evident as our population ages," Rep. Murphy said. "And more Hoosier families are choosing to care for their aging family members in the home. This is an admirable choice, but one that proposes certain risks. "Those with dementia and Alzheimer's disease are known to wander from their homes, putting their lives in danger. However, this bill also protects other adults, such as those who suffer from transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or mini-strokes. This alert system provides some peace of mind for families and procedures for recovering these missing adults." Gov. Daniels is expected to sign Senate Bill 307 into law. Those interested in tracking this and other bills that have survived the long journey to the governor's desk can visit http://www.in.gov/gov/billwatch.htm.
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